They gained a morale-lifting success by beating Central Districts, New Zealand’s leading state side in 50-over cricket, after they chased 251 with six wickets and nearly 10 overs to spare.

Aaqib, the former Pakistan bowler who has overseen the UAE’s rise as coach over the past three years, thinks Berenger and Naveed are two players likely to cause an impression at the World Cup.

He terms Berenger a “very exciting” opening batsman. The Dubai-born player made 78 to set up the run chase against Central Districts in Napier, where the UAE will face Pakistan and West Indies during the World Cup.

Earlier, Naveed had taken three for 36 from his eight overs. Aaqib and Paul Franks, his assistant coach, are excited about the potential of the national team’s fastest bowler, on pitches which are likely to favour his style of bowling in Australia and New Zealand.

“The other day I had a discussion with Naveed,” Aaqib said. “He is handy with the bat also. I asked him what his plans were for the World Cup.

“He said, ‘I’m going to smash Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn.’ He has a lot of self-belief.”

The national team will fly to Australia on Friday for their official warm-up matches before the start of the World Cup.

They will play Australia, with Michael Clarke expected to make his return from injury, at the MCG on Wednesday.

They then face Afghanistan, who they beat 3-1 in a series in Dubai at the end of last year, on Friday, February 13, in St Kilda.

Former St. Peter’s College and Sri Lanka Youth cricketer Andri Berenger has qualified to represent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the forthcoming World Cup in Australia-New Zealand. He will become the only cricketer to represent two countries in two World Cups having played with the Sri Lanka team at the 2010 Under-19 Youth World Cup in New Zealand.Berenger will open the batting for UAE who are coached by former Pakistan fast bowler Aquib Javad.Berenger has represented the UAE in four ODIs and has an average of 38 with two half centuries.The UAE team last featured in a competition against the Pakistan A team and lost the series 3-2. Berenger made a highest score of 77 in the series and was adjudged man of the match in a game the UAE won.

Now 23, Berenger showed plenty of promise at St. Peter’s College but for some reason did not make the higher grade after representing Sri Lanka in the Under-19 Youth World Cup.

In 2009 he was the best all-island U-17 player scoring four hundreds and in the following year was adjudged the best wicket-keeper batsman. Berenger has also bagged a corporate sponsorship from sports equipment marketer Head.

UAE opener Andri Berenger has set himself a target of scoring a hundred in the World Cup, following his fine half-century in his team’s six-wicket victory over Central Districts on Thursday. The 23-year-old struck 78, while vice-captain Khurram Khan smashed 66 as the UAE chased 251 inside 42 overs in their practice game at Nelson Park, New Zealand.

“My goal is to score at least one century in the World Cup,” he said, who arrived with his team-mates in Australia yesterday for their final two-warm up games against the co-hosts (February 11) and Afghanistan two days later.

“The first two matches are against Zimbabwe and Ireland and I feel there’s not much difference between the two sides, so scoring a century is definitely possible.

“This innings will be a big confidence boost for me to score some big runs ahead of the World Cup.”

Berenger is no stranger to the conditions in New Zealand having been part of Sri Lanka’s squad that reached the Under-19 World Cup semi-finals in 2010.

Berenger played for St. Peter’s College in 2009 and 2010 and also represented Sri Lanka in the Under-19 World Cup Semi-Finals in 2010.